I have never smoked, and I hope I never will, but recently I have felt the need to defend those around me who partake in this rather unhealthy habit. It is no surprise that I do not very often come to the aid of those who inflict upon themselves high chances of mortal illness, crippling physical trauma, and devastating cancer, but they are being treated particularly unfairly as of late, and have few people on their side. There seems to be growing an atmosphere that not only abhors smoking, but feels the need to belittle and ridicule every person who smokes, no matter how often or in what capacity. These people act as if smokers are destructive towards society because of their unhealthy habit, and that smokers are nothing but a burden on the nation. As if ridiculing people for their harmful vice wasn't far enough, they feel the need to outright ban smoking in any form and make it illegal to have a cigarette even in the privacy of one's own home. The case for these harsh regulations and bans rest upon a disregard for the free market and a reliance upon public opinion to gain support where there would otherwise be none if motives and actions were rationally considered. Smoking, just as consuming any substance, is a right that ought to be afforded to a nation's citizens without the imposition of …show more content…
This is particularly true in the UK, Canada, and Australia, where such legislation has taken effect (Dennis). Those who support that model are certainly not wrong – without smoking, the majority of people would benefit in terms of their health and well being. But we do no ban things because they are unhealthy. We let the citizens decide, using their free will and their choices offered to them by the free market, as should be the case in any democratic